Jon Lewis puts himself in England Test frame

Worcester:Jon Lewis bolstered his prospects of playing in next week's first Test against Sri Lanka by taking six wickets for England 'A' on the opening day of their match against the tourists at New Road.

Gloucestershire seamer Lewis, 30, took six for 49 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 179.

With England quicks Stephen Harmison (shin) and James Anderson (back) ruled out ahead of Sunday's team announcement for the Lord's Test, and Glamorgan reverse swing specialist Simon Jones (knee) doubtful, Lewis's salvo was well-timed particularly as the chairman of selectors, David Graveney, was on hand to witness it.

"It's an England 'A' team game against the tourists and if you get wickets then you're obviously in with a shout of getting into the full side," said Lewis, yet to play Test cricket.

"There's some places up for grabs and I'm looking to push my claims," added the paceman, who played all his three One-day internationals for England to date on home soil last year.

However, after missing out on England's tours of Pakistan and India, Lewis added: "I feel I can probably do a job anywhere and I'm happy bowling on any sort of wicket. I'm not just an early season bowler in England."

Earlier Thursday, Sri Lanka star Muttiah Muralitharan flew back to Kandy following a family bereavement.

But the off-spinner, the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's attack with 611 Test wickets, is due to return to London on Sunday in time to take his place in the side for the first Test of three against England starting on Thursday, May 11.